Explore Space Here on Earth

Space is one of those destinations that will always fascinate, regardless of whether we’ll ever be able to go or not. (If you happen to have $200K lying around, then start planning your trip now!) But you can explore the history of space travel here on earth. The display of NASA’s space shuttle Enterprise opened last week at Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City.

In the Intrepid Museum’s Space Shuttle Pavilion, Enterprise — NASA’s very first space shuttle — is elevated 10 feet off the ground, so you can walk directly underneath it. An elevated viewing platform also allows you to get a better look. Intrepid Museum is one of the few places in the world to offer an up-close view of a space shuttle.

Or, if you happen to be in Florida, the Kennedy Space Center opened its doors this week to the public. For the first time in its 50-year history, visitors can now venture almost a quarter-mile inside the security fence and get a look at Launch Pad 39-A — the starting point for all 6 Apollo missions that landed on the moon.

For a limited time, the tours will include trips to KSC’s 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building and the Launch Control Center — all as part of the center’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Go back to those days of childhood wonder when you pondered what was out beyond the stars by visiting one of these touchstones of the United States’ history of space exploration.

Dr. Sally Ride proved that everyone is capable of great things — take this opportunity to be reminded.